Category Archives: How-To Tips

Non-traditional Bride Offbeat Wedding Ideas

Are you considered a non-traditional bride?  You’ve certainly come to the right place. Stick with us and read this quick and easy 2-minute article.  You’ll be bursting with off-beat wedding ideas that will make the big day the most special one of your life.

Getting married is the one day of your life that you’ve been looking forward to for as long as you can remember, so you want to make sure it’s one you’ll never forget. That said, as a non-traditional bride, you realize there are so many traditions out there you feel you have to follow that you may well be worrying the day won’t really feel like it’s yours. Sound familiar?  Don’t worry, continue reading!

Photo by Hitro4ka Pixabay

Non-Traditional Idea 1 – Leave the White Dress to Someone Else

When it’s time to unveil your outfit to the whole congregation you want to leave them speechless, and you want your other half to fall in love with you all over again. The classic white wedding dresses that we’ve all grown up with are great, but what if you want to take things in an exciting new direction?

Photo by Stock Snap Pixabay
blue wedding gown with bridesmaids for a wedding ceremony
Photo by LCSiLViU Pixabay

More and more brides are opting for colorful wedding dresses that add a touch of style and the unexpected to proceedings, so why not do the same? They’re just what you need if you want to let your bubbly personality shine through for the whole room to see as you walk up the aisle.  It’s non-traditional, but it can be very fashionable!

Photo by LaLas Lens Photography

Non-Traditional Idea 2 – Save the Flower Girl Duties For the Older Generation

There’s no better way to remind the whole room that weddings are about families than to have the older generation play their part. It can be all too tempting to have them give a reading or take some rest and sit on the sidelines, but they’re just like you — they want to get involved.

three generation wedding rings at salt lake city reception
Photo by Tia Chapman Photography

Plenty of brides are bucking the trend of having flowers girls follow them up the aisle and are instead opting for their favorite aunt or dear old nan to do the honors. The great thing about this is that it shows the whole family just what they mean to you and will give you plenty of chances to get some photos you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Photo by Salt Lake Trolley

Non-Traditional Idea 3 – Arrive or Depart In a Trolley

When you want to really make an entrance there’s perhaps no better way to do it than to show up at the ceremony in a vehicle no one would have been expecting.  Limousine services are plenty, but consider hiring a Trolley to deliver or pick up the non-traditional bride and groom!  What a memorable send-off by your family and friends, plus a unique entrance to your final destination, a romantic Salt Lake City hotel! Especially if you use a venue like Ivy House Weddings, located next to the historic Trolley Square in Salt Lake, you will add to the charm of having a Utah wedding.  When you hire a trolley to get you there in time for the big celebration, or to pick you up afterward, you’re not just making an entrance — you’re making a statement that will last a lifetime. Ideal if you want to add one more special moment to the day that you’ll never want to forget.

dancing at utah reception venue
Photo by Pure Light Photography

Non-Traditional Idea 4 – Start the Music and Mingling Early

If you love to see your guests getting to know each other, spending time together, and just generally having a good old celebration, you need to get the records playing nice and early. A formal meal is a great way to get people into the swing of things, but why not opt for a buffet-style dessert that gets everyone out of their seats and socializing?

wedding buffet dinner for the non-traditional bride wedding party
Photo by Swensen Photography

There are so many different buffet dessert options out there that you’re going to be spoilt for choice. Not only that but if you get the music to come at the same time your nearest and dearest will know that it’s time to get the party started. Ideal if you want to enjoy the day you’ve waited a lifetime for that little bit more.

non-traditional bride chooses a Man of Honor to join the bridesmaids
Photo by Truly Photography

Non-Traditional Idea 5 – Add a Guy Friend to the Bridal Party

Guy friends have long been left on the sidelines by the bride to be, but not anymore. There are all sorts of traditions modern brides are turning upside down, and sticking solely to female bridesmaids is certainly one of them.

guy of honor at utah wedding at ivy house weddings and events
Photo by Truly Photography

If you want to spend the day with the people who mean the most to you as you celebrate the start of a lifetime of adventure with that special someone, it really shouldn’t matter what gender they are. There’s a whole host of ways to add a guy friend to your bridal party, so give it a little thought, get creative, and enjoy it.

wedding couple limousine VW wagon

Now that you’ve heard our words of wisdom, all you have to do is sit back and give a little thought to which one(s) you want to weave into the biggest day of your life. You might feel like you have a million and one things to do, but you only get to do it once so take the time to do it right and you’ll love every second of it.non-traditional bride pinterest pin

About the Author

I’m Rebecca, a translator and avid traveler, a book worm and horror flick enthusiast. My job has given me the amazing opportunity to travel to dozens of countries around the world, and writing on Rough Draft gives me a chance to try to showcase some of them.

Five Ideas and Tips for Bridesmaid Dresses

 

bride with bridesmaids in same colors

Your choice of bridesmaid dresses will help keep these beautiful women your best friends!  Consider these ideas and tips as you create your bridesmaid dresses for your Utah wedding reception.  Years ago, Utah traditional bridesmaids wore all matching formal dresses, whether or not the color or style looked good on a particular bridesmaid.  I look at my wedding line and I’m embarrassed to see what I made my “friends” endure.  I almost wish I had talked one of them into giving me their dress just for my own costume box.  I hope their own children are having fun dressing up in them. I’m sure the dresses were never seriously worn again. For all you bridesmaids out there who have endured the embarrassing dresses because you loved your friend, we veteran brides thank you for loving us! 

Pink bridesmaids dresses from the 1980's.
I would love to have one of those dresses for my grandchildren’s costume dress-up box!

Luckily the new modern more savvy bride can get the look she wants and help her friends feel comfortable in the gown they wear for the wedding, plus obtain a new outfit that they can wear again.  If your plan is to have everyone be in identical outfits, go for it!  Just be conscious of body types and color.   

Bridesmaid dresses to match your color palette

Bridesmaid dresses begin with your wedding color palette.  If you haven’t done so already, create a color and idea palette for your wedding day.  There are several helpful tools online to assist you with this:  Nearlyweds color chooser, WeddingWire Palette generatorMagnet Street Color Boutique,  Bridal Guide How To.

lavender wedding color palette example

Other Examples of Wedding Color Palettes:

fall wedding color palette example

spring wedding color palette example

 

Forward now to your bridesmaid dresses.  Here are some alternative acceptable options to consider as you dress your bridesmaids for your incredible day! 

Bridesmaid Dresses Idea 1

Use the same bridesmaid dresses style but each woman selects their color of choice from your wedding palette

bridesmaid dresses in same style but different colors

Bridesmaid Dresses Idea 2 

You choose 2 or 3 colors that are acceptable from your wedding palette.  Then each bridesmaid chooses the style dress she feels comfortable wearing according to those colors.   

wedding bridesmaid dresses in different styles but same shades of coral

Bridesmaid Dresses Idea 3 

You create a list of “acceptable” bridesmaids dresses that your friends may choose from.  Here are some helpful sites:  A Dressy Occasion, Colors Bridesmaid, Azazie, LatterDay Bride & Prom, DorrisWedding

Dresses with similar colors but all different styles

dresses with different styles in similar shades of blush pink

Bridesmaid Dresses Idea 4

You choose the dress patterns and the fabrics and have the bridesmaid dresses custom made.  dresses in two styles and two colors for older and younger bridesmaids

bridesmaid dresses made from same fabric in the same style

Bridesmaid Dresses Idea 5 

Bag the idea of bridesmaid bouquets, and let your bridesmaids wear fun stylish hats.  Or maybe have all their dresses be of their own choosing and you supply all the same fun hat designed in your wedding style.  Just some ideas to mull around!

bridesmaids in mint green with fun stylish hats

Bridesmaid Dresses Budget

Consider your bridesmaids’ budgets when selecting a dress option.  If your bridesmaids are paying for their own gowns, it’s polite to keep the costs low.  The more options they have to choose from, the more likely they will find something they will more likely wear again for other occasions, remembering your special wedding at the same time.  If you are going to choose a more expensive formal dress that may not be worn again, then it’s a good idea and proper for you to help with the cost.  

In this modern day, a gracious and wise bride can create a beautiful Utah wedding celebration during which her bridesmaid dresses will be comfortable to wear and reflect her love for her best friends sharing this day with her.  

bridesmaid dresses in own styles of gray skirts
Bridesmaids chose their own gray toned skirt and beige shoes

Five options for your bridesmaids dresses for pinterest

7 tips for wedding planning

Tired of reading the DON’Ts of wedding planning?  Here are some refreshing wedding planning DO’s before you say “I DO” at your Utah wedding venue.  This is a simple list of the most basic of strategies that if you will “do”, you will have greater chance of completely enjoying your spectacular day, no matter what comes! 

#1 -DO take time to court each.  There is a lot of hustle and bustle while planning a wedding.  There are a lot of moving parts and before you know it, you haven’t had time together like when you were dating.  Remember, the wedding will come and go and all that is left is you two and your relationship.  May as well enjoy each other along the way!  A sack of favorite cookies, a gallon of ice cream and two spoons, a drive up the canyon, a snowball fight – whatever it is, just do it!  Click here are some inexpensive date ideas.

wedding couple having snowball fight before their utah winter wedding.
Play along the way! Courting during wedding planning is still very important.

#2 -DO Prioritize the elements of your ideal wedding.  Make your wedding celebration what you’ve dreamed of, but prioritize those details. Be prepared to compromise for your own sanity, your fiancé’s sanity, your family’s sanity.  Sometimes it helps to write down on paper parts of your imagined day.  Then rate the most important things to you and your fiancé.  Communicating your most important wants and needs will help you clearly see where you want to focus your time on first.  This also helps you see how your family, bridesmaids, groomsmen, fiancé or wedding planner can help make it happen.  Many venues have beautiful additional items you can use at your celebration. I imagine your fiancé’s presence at the wedding would be the #1 priority, the non-compromising item.  Everything else in some way is negotiable. Really!

elegant wedding cake at wedding venue in salt lake
Which aspects of your wedding are MOST important? Plan them first.

#3 -DO allow others to help you. You have bridesmaids and he has groomsmen for a reason.  Ask them.  Let them help you how they are able; however, be reasonable with your expectations.  You’ll want to be respectful of their time, but by all means, do let them play their role.

bride groom bridesmaids groomsmen utahwedding
Bridesmaids and groomsmen are there to help you. Let them!

#4 -DO consider the time of your guests.  They are taking time out of their own busy lives to celebrate with you.  If your ceremony and reception are in two different Utah wedding venues, the maximum time between your ceremony and reception should be two hours which would include travel time.

guests sitting at utah wedding venue
Guests are taking great efforts to come celebrate with you. Consider the timing of everything.

#5 – DO K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Stupid, or PC stated, Keep It Simple Silly.  Believe it or not, my mother taught me this one!  This ties into the prioritizing a bit, but I want to add that you don’t have to be a D.I.Y. bride on everything. Having a supportive Utah wedding venue event planner, like at Ivy House Weddings in Salt Lake City, can help give you great tips and ideas to make things simpler in your planning. Many times creating everything yourself can be more headache and more costly than if you find something similar.  Just make the purchase.  Don’t forget that you want to enjoy the path along the way to that final aisle where your new mate takes your hand and you do kiss!

keep wedding plans simple
Keeping your wedding planning simple can alleviate stress.

#6 -DO pamper yourself the day before and get good sleep for at least two-three nights before your day.  You’ll want fresh bright eyes for your wedding day photos!  You will not only save on makeup concealer, but your nerves will not be as frazzled and stressed.

Woman sleeping by a window. Beauty rest.
Getting enough sleep several days before your wedding is important – physically and emotionally.

#7 -DO Smile and Enjoy your day!  No matter what happens during the day – good, not so good, indifferent – it’s just that, indifferent. The most important part of your day is that you and your spouse are there together relishing in the moment that is yours.  Put blinders on and seize the day!

bride and groom dancing at utah wedding event
Just you and he are the most important part of the day. Smile and enjoy each other.

6 Utah WILDFLOWER OPTIONS FOR YOUR WEDDING

utah wedding wildflowers for your reception venue

 

Author: Emma Bishop

Are you looking to go a little wild with your wedding? A Utah wildflower or two is a great way to reflect some of the state’s natural beauty in your nuptials. Most Utah wedding venues are perfect for the wildflower look. Here are our top six native wildflower picks for you to include in your wedding arrangements.  Because it is illegal to pick wildflowers from public lands, find many of these blossoms in yards of friends and family involved with your wedding plans. You could also seek a special permit for picking wildflowers in Utah.

1. Anemones

anenome white wild flower
Photo by Captri23auto

These beautiful wildflower blossoms are a wedding favorite, but you’ll have to go a bit off the beaten path to find the wild variety. Find these gems at your local garden center.  If you don’t have time to plant and grow them, seek friends and neighbors who may be willing to give you some blooms for your wedding.  There are several different types, with some blooming in the spring and others in the fall. Colors include white, red, pink, and yellow, and they make a charming addition to any bouquet. Pasqueflower (or anemone patens) is native to Utah, and it’s one of the first wildflowers to bloom in the spring.

2. Blazing Star or Liatris Wildflower

purple wildflower liatris
Photo by Still Works Imagery

You can find blazing stars growing wild in meadows and prairies across Utah. It is such a beloved native Utah plant that it has found its way into many Utah gardens, probably in your neighborhood.  Ask around!  The feathery purple flowers bloom in summer on the plant’s long and stately spike. It’s a popular wedding flower since it adds vertical interest to bouquets, centerpieces, and other arrangements. Dried blazing star works beautifully in floral crowns, wreaths, and garlands.  Again, many Utah gardeners use this in their perennial beds.

3. Sunflowers

bright yellow sunflowers wild flower of utah
Photo by Otrotrangian

The common sunflower is one of five species of sunflowers native to Utah. It’s also the one that produces those favorite seeds on which we enjoy snacking. If you get engaged in winter or spring, and are planning a fall wedding, pick up a packet of seeds to plant, and you’ll have lots of blooms in time for your celebration. Western Gardens has a wide array of seeds that do well in our Utah climate and soil. A word of warning: These wildflowers depend on bees to pollinate them and produce sunflowers. You’ll often find male bees resting on the flower heads, and it’s the females that sting.

4. Western Coneflower

Rudbeckia_occidentalis_on_Aspen_Mountain
Coneflower – Echinacea – Rudbeckia – Photo by Rhododendrites

This member of the sunflower family grows in Utah’s mountain meadows. It has a brownish-dark purple cone with green leaves at the base. Use it as a unique touch for taller arrangements or to add a rustic flair to your bouquet. It blooms from midsummer to fall and will hold its looks for a long time as part of a dried arrangement.  Many Utah gardeners plant varieties of this in their gardens.  Also known as Echinacea which comes in various colors.  The most common is the Purple Coneflower.  A quality local garden center like Western Gardens carries a good selection in different colors – white, orange, red, yellow, and of course, purple.

5. Yarrow Wildflower

White Yarrow wildflower in Utah
Photo by Foto Blend

Yarrow is a perfect match for almost any type of flower. It features small, flat heads of tiny flowers and fern-like green foliage. We see a lot of the non-native baby’s breath at our wedding receptions, but white yarrow could be a wonderful substitute. The most common colors are yellow, white, pink, and red. Yarrow can last up to five days after it’s cut. It’s heat tolerant so that it won’t wilt during outdoor ceremonies and receptions. According to folk legend, hanging the yarrow used in your wedding above your bed will ensure lasting love. Yarrow is also a hypoallergenic wildflower because it produces less histamine than other blooms. Your local independent garden nursery should have a good selection.

6. Sego Lily

Photo by Matt Lavin – Flickr
wild flower Utah sego lily state flower
Photo by WensLens

Utah’s state flower is the perfect choice to show your state pride and give your wedding a homey touch. However, this is a true wildflower since it doesn’t transplant or grow well in lower altitudes. These sweet blooms are difficult to find, but you may see them along the arid West roadways and mountain valleys at altitudes between 5,000 and 8,000 feet. Because they are not common, leave the plants in nature. The bulb does not like to be disturbed and will die; therefore, the Sego Lily can be tough to grow in the garden, but you can try by seeking seeds from some native-plant societies and other online sources. The sego lily prefers hot, dry conditions and sandy soil.

Final note:

While Utah is the beehive state and we welcome pollinator-attracting flowers in the garden, you probably don’t want bees buzzing your wedding. You may want to choose flowers that either don’t attract or repel bees. Roses and Red Penstemon work well.

Native wildflowers are an eco-friendly choice for your festivities because many thrive here naturally. Since they don’t need to be cultivated in a greenhouse or shipped from far away, they could also save you money. Check with your family and friends about their yards to see if they would donate to your beautiful day. 

So let loose and embrace a bit of your wild side by going native with your wedding flowers.

utah wedding flowers at Salt Lake wedding venue

 

About the Author:

Emma Bishop is a lifestyle and design writer, and mother of two beautiful girls. She is a social butterfly and loves to entertain guests at home with beautifully decorated spaces for any occasion.

 

utah wedding venues Do’s Before the I Do’s

Wedding venues in Utah - Do's before the I DO's

Discover the positive side of wedding planning at Utah wedding venues.  You’ve probably read the list of DON’Ts that you must try to avoid. Well, here is a simple list of the most basic “DO” strategies that will give you greater chance of completely enjoying your spectacular day!

#1 – DO take time for courting.  Do step back from the hustle and bustle of planning and remember, the wedding will come and go.  After that day has ended, all that will be left behind will be wonderful memories of the day, but the only thing you’ll be able to cling onto is each other.  It’s just you and him and your relationship.  Enjoy each other along the path getting there!  Little simple thoughts like a shoebox of his favorite cookies, a pint of ice cream with two spoons, a drive up the canyon, will keep the flame very much alive before and after the wedding day.  Whatever you want or have time to do, just do it!

pre-wedding courting

#2 – DO prioritize the most important details of your ideal wedding – Make your wedding and reception what you’ve dreamed, but prioritize those dreams. Take a deep breath now and be ready to compromise for your own sanity, your fiancé’s sanity, and your family’s sanity.  Some find it easier to do by writing your wishes as a list on paper and then rank them as most to least crucial.  Get your man involved as well.  He has thoughts and dreams too.  Do communicate what is most important to you and see how you and your family or bridesmaids can help make it happen.  I imagine having your fiancé there at the wedding would be the number one priority, the non-compromising item and everything else is in some way negotiable!

wedding needs and wishes
Prioritize your wants, needs, and energies.

#3 – DO accept help from others.  You are loved by many who want you to have a beautiful day.  Bridesmaids and groomsmen are there for a real reason, not just to cost money and look nice!  Let them help you how they are able while being reasonable with your expectations.  You’ll want to be respectful of their time, but by all means, do let them play their role.

Helpers at Utah reception centers
Let your bridesmaids help you!

#4 – DO consider your guests.  The time your guests are taking out of their day to celebrate with you is valuable to them.  Be mindful of their time.  For example, the maximum time between your ceremony and reception should be two hours which would include travel time if ceremony and reception are in two different wedding locations in Utah.

Utah weddings at Ivy House at Western Gardens Downtown

#5 – DO K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Silly.  Believe it or not, my mother taught me this one!  This ties into the prioritizing but also applies to the bride that thinks she has to do everything or make everything.  You don’t have to be a D.I.Y. bride on everything.  Sometimes doing everything yourself can be more headache and more costly than if you find something similar and just make the purchase.  Remember, you want to enjoy the path along the way to that final aisle where your new husband takes your hand and you do kiss!

Arranging flowers at reception venues
Let those who love you help you!

#6 – DO pamper yourself the day before.  And at all costs, get a good night’s rest.  You DO want fresh bright eyes for your wedding day photos!

bright eyes for wedding photos

#7 – DO smile and savor every moment of your beautiful day!  If the cake topples over, so what!  Just smile, laugh and take lots of photos of you and your man posing beside it!  Your day will be over before you know it.  The wedding reception center’s lights will go out and it will be just you and him driving off on your honeymoon, forever!

send off at Wedding reception centers in Utah
Jumbo sparklers wedding send off at Ivy House Weddings is part of your package with us!

driving away from reception center parking lot

Avoid 4 Flower Mistakes at Wedding Venues in Utah

wedding venues in utah with wedding flower suggestionsHere are 4 common mistakes that Brides often make – Don’t fall into the trap!

Utah reception centers that let brides do their own flowers

Mistake #1 – Miscalculating the Cost

Realize that there are more to flower needs at wedding venues in Utah than just the bride’s bouquet and the groom’s boutonnière.  There are bouquets for bride’s maids, corsages for mothers, grandmothers, boutonnières for uncles, groomsmen, flowers for centerpieces, throwing bouquet, buffet table and the list could go on.  See basic lists of wedding floral packages here.  Also, our prior Flower Basics blog post gives a lot of ideas as well.   Whether you go extravagant or simple, don’t forget the costs of the vases for your flowers, the labor to create them, and any accents including pearls or simple ribbon.  It is not just buying a bouquet from a big box store and plopping them in a jar.  At least a little time, effort, and resources must be dedicated to it.  If you do not hire a professional, then at least put a trusted family member or trusted friend in charge of all the flower needs.

Swensen baby breath bouquets WM

Mistake #2 – Forgetting that it’s YOUR wedding, not a wedding found on Pinterest!

Don’t get too set on what you find on Pinterest and similar sites.  A few photos to your designer is a wonderful way to capture the overall feel of what you want for your wedding.  But allow your designer to make it personalized for you.  Think of ways you can put your own style into your flower designs or let them run ideas past you.

Extravagant wedding 2

From this Pinterest feel (above) to this Ivy House reality! (below)

Ravenburg white pumpkin floral WM

utah wedding receptions with elegant wedding flowers

Mistake #3 – Being stubborn and Insisting on Out-of Season Flowers!

Flowers can be seasonal.  It is very common for brides to have favorite flowers they want for their weddings.  Pink peonies are a good example. There are times in the year that a florist can absolutely not get any or enough of them delivered for an event.  You either need to change your wedding date to accommodate the flowers you desire or be willing to compromise a little with the local flower shops.  Seasonal flowers are not only less expensive; they are easier to obtain.  Click here to find out what flowers are in season during your wedding month.

 

Mistake #4 – Considering only the Appearance of the Flower

Some flowers are incredibly beautiful but have an odor that wouldn’t please your guests.  For example, Paperwhite or Narcissus is a very popular spring forced bulb, but some people find the odor quite offensive and gives them headaches in enclosed areas.  Guests at wedding venues in Utah wouldn’t enjoy that!  There are so many flowers that have sweet scents on their own. Other flowers have complimentary scents when grouped together. Your professional florist will know.  Consider all the senses when choosing your flowers.  One bride invited her aunt to supply flower bouquets at Ivy House.  She simply used pink & white lilies cut from her garden with greenery.  The reception hall was filled with the beautiful refreshing sweet fragrance of lilies.

Odor of paper whites can be offensive in wedding venues in Utah

 

Pink lilly 450px

wedding flowers at wedding venues in utah

Hiring a Limousine for Wedding Reception Centers in Utah

Getaway cars for wedding reception venues in Utah

Wedding transportation is important to consider when planning your wedding day, especially if your wedding ceremony and reception centers in Utah are far apart.  Many brides overlook a plan to graciously get family and friends from point A to point B until all of a sudden, you are not enjoying your day, but worrying about how your bridesmaids in their stilettos and grandmas are going to get to the reception which is a mile or more away.  Avoid these worries about your family and guests and plan ahead. Will everyone go in private cars and with who, or do you want to treat them to a memorable wedding day ride? While you and your new husband ride in your own private classy limo, treat your closest family and friends to a stretched limousine ride. If your budget allows, offering rides between the ceremony and reception venues is a very nice gesture, but not mandatory.  But you must remember that limos are not limitless and need to be reserved far in advance if you want to go this route.

There are also other reasons to hire a limo service. Imagine the excitement for you and all your bridesmaids being picked up at your home or other meeting place and stepping into a stretched limo and riding to your wedding venue for your ceremony and celebration.  There your trusted entourage are all there to help you with your dress and final touches in a spacious bride’s room and any other preparations, readying you to walk down the aisle.  That unique ride all together first thing would be a classy way to start your celebration close to your best friends.

hummer Wedding orange party narrow dresses

Of course, there is always the Bride and Groom departure getaway vehicle.  Here is where you plan and do exactly what you both want.  This is YOUR time to escape from the crowd and begin your honeymoon!  Limousines are often hired for this special romantic departure from most reception venues in Utah.

Most Salt Lake City Limo Services charge by the hour.  Some offer packages for blocks of time.  Whichever company you choose, be sure to clarify what their quote to you includes.  Does it cover the chauffeurs’ gratuity, fuel costs, and any other costs?  Also ask about additional hours if needed.  However, you be wise and book additional time knowing that you may not be able to keep the vehicle longer due to the other clients who have have already booked for their events.  Always book at least 1-2 hours more than you think you need.  Make sure the transportation company is completely transparent so you know what your real cost will be.  Using the good business practice of getting your quote in writing is also very wise.

SONY DSC

If your budget doesn’t allow for hiring a professional car service, some couples are able to borrow a fancy sports car from a family member or friend, or swap cars so that no one knows what car the couple is using which helps to avoid the car decorating mess.  If you use your own vehicle, make sure you and your fiancé wash and vacuum your car so that you will have that new beginning when you finally escape and run away!

SONY DSC

Be happy that you are planning now about your wedding day transportation to any of the many reception centers in Utah.  You won’t be caught in any awkward predicaments the day of your wedding.

reception centers in utah, smartphones and smart brides

Get organized before looking at reception centers in utahBefore you begin searching all the reception centers in Utah and other wedding vendors, be the smart bride who gets organized and then begins the wedding planning.  Wedding celebrations can become very complicated.  With your smartphone in hand, planning Utah wedding receptions can be such a breeze.  Save yourself headache and frustration from not knowing what you’ve done or need yet to do as the big day draws closer.  Stress is the last thing a bride needs on the day before her wedding or even on her wedding day!

The Wedding TO DO lists – There are many organizational apps to help with the seemingly never ending wedding tasks.  I used to just keep all my notes in “notes” but that became ridiculously long and difficult to find a particular list in mind.  My daughter introduced me to the app WunderList.  It is indeed wonderful!  It lets you prioritize, reorganize, share with others, email, and even print the list for an older person who just can’t break away from the pencil and paper.  Check out your app store.  The key is to find something that works for you.  There are many other apps just for wedding planning as well.  Find one that will work for you.  I like WunderList because you can still be organized with your other-than-wedding life plus you’ll continue to use it even after the wedding!

Organization apps for helping plan your wedding
WunderList is one of many apps that can help you be organized and efficient. Find the best one for YOU.
planning your wedding smart phone app
Manipulate your To-Do lists to fit your needs.
wedding planning for utah wedding venues
You can have sub-tasks, set due dates & reminders, share, prioritize, move, print and email your information.

Separate Wedding Email Address – Another great suggestion is to create a separate email address for use only for your wedding vendors and other wedding communications.  All your many reception centers in Utah, florists, cake designers, etc. can communicate directly with that designated email address.  Add that address to your smart phone with folders and sections to hold their contact information so you don’t have to look up their information again and again as you zero in on who you choose to hire.  Over several months, you’ll be gathering all kinds of information that you won’t want to misplace and the smart phone is a perfect little file cabinet for a bride.  Remember to take photos of your favorite cake designs, the flowers you like, even the style of boutonniere you want to see on your husband. Your wedding ceremony and reception ideas will be blended to create the Utah wedding that is uniquely and perfectly you.

Photos, Photos, Photos – I find myself taking photos of products with their sizes & prices, schedules, menus, plates of foods, little girl dresses, photos in magazines, people on the street, mannequins in a window, and the list goes on. Everything is at my fingertips when I have a moment to plan and work with my budget. I can look items up and make educated decisions as to what will work for my style and my budget.

Wedding cake topper that doubles as our treasured china piece.
A few years ago, a friend of mine took a photo of my wedding cake topper that has been on our hutch for 28 years now! I still love it. I still love him!
Party favor at wedding venues in utah
My daughter liked her cousin’s idea of sharing the history of the pretzel love knot with her guests. This was a cute simple bag she made and filled with chocolate covered pretzels as wedding favors for her wedding guests.
Saying thank you at all reception venues in utah is a respectable thing to do
Take a photo of photo ideas you want to do at your own celebration!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes you will find yourself without your phone and an idea presents itself. I still jot it down on a receipt, scrap of paper, etc. But my advice is to quickly get the note into your phone as soon as possible, even if you simply take a photo of the note when you get your phone in hand again.

Give The Photo – Finally when your decisions are made of items you want created for your special day, you can print a 4×6 copy of particular products and leave the photo with the vendor so they know exactly what you have in mind.  Or they may appreciate a digital version instead. Remember the adage “A photo is worth a thousand words”?  Actually it was originally stated as “a photo is worth ten-thousand words” in 1927 by a Fred Bernard. The point being that your photo will help your vendor more successfully help you achieve your dream.  The smartphone now helps brides accomplish that task much easier.

Photos will help you get your wedding reception centers in utah looking just the way you want.
A photo from a magazine with the colors and feel wanted for the Florist to create! This picture is worth 10,000 words!

Your wedding ceremony and reception will be so much more enjoyable for you and your guests if you’ll take some time now to get organized and stay organized.  Also, look for those wedding reception centers in Utah like Ivy House Weddings that provide wedding planners that will help you make sure you remember all the little details for your celebration at their wedding venue.

Ten Basic Flower Tips for Celebrations at Wedding Venues in Utah

utah wedding receptions flower tipsFlowers are an important focal attraction of a wedding celebration.  Many wedding venues in Utah require brides to use their in-house florist for the event’s floral needs; however, Western Garden’s two wedding reception centers do not require but only recommend their favorite wedding florist.  As a courtesy to our brides, we recommend Hillside Flowers.  (Click to see their sample pricing)

Whether it is Hillside or other chosen florist, or even if you do your flowers yourself, here are 10 basic tips to know and remember.

1)  The Bare Basics include:  bride’s bouquet, groom’s boutonniere, corsages for each mother, boutonnieres for each father.

2)  Additional flower needs for the wedding party – Maid of honor’s/matron of honor’s bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, best man and groomsmen’s boutonnieres, hair piece for the flower girl and rose petals for the flower girl to gently toss down the aisle.

3)  Wedding reception flower needs include:  table centerpieces, customary bouquet that the bride throws, flowers on a gift/guest attendance book table, and cake flowers.   Flowers for a food buffet table may be considered.

4)  The wedding’s theme and colors can be incorporated in the flower selection process.  Consider the types of flowers, flower colors, ribbons, greenery and accents to be used.  Your flowers can be a beautiful reflection of your personality for all your guests to witness.  A bridal bouquet reflects the final touch of the bride’s gown and is an accessory that completes the attire.  Flowers also help capture the theme of a wedding albeit romantic, elegant, rustic, modern, antique to simple.  Exotic orchids to timeless calla lilies, your flowers can tell your guests a lot about you.

5)  To keep the flower budget reasonable, it is less expensive to select flowers that are in season and locally grown if possible.  You may need to improvise and coordinate colors and flowers around certain seasons, but this means you may be able to afford more flowers.  Being open-minded and willing to work with your florist so you don’t have to import flowers will save you a lot of money.

6)  Consider your reception venue.  Utah reception centers that already have some greenery, won’t need as much floral decoration as those that have none, containing only walls and hard decor.  Brides that book at Ivy House and Atrium find that they don’t require as much floral design as other Salt Lake City wedding venues.

7)  Coordinate with a florist that can accommodate you for both the wedding venue for the ceremony and the Utah wedding reception center for your celebration.   This will help you deal with one single florist who can create one cohesive theme for your entire day.  These professionals are able to provide guidance and advice to you about what flowers will work best for your needs.  Sometimes they can even supplement flowers in bouquets and centerpiece with more greenery, feathers, pearls, or artistic elements.

8)  Inquire about vases.  Does your florist rent them to you?  Are they purchased by you as part of the cost of the arrangements?  This is important to know.  You will want to know if  you can send floral arrangements home with guests as a gift?

9)  Does the florist set up the floral pieces?  Does the florist take down the pieces at the end of the reception if the vases are rented or do you do this and return the vases?  These little details are important to know ahead of time.

10)  Many brides want their bouquets professionally preserved.  Some florists provide this service.  Inquiring ahead of time will help save you significant time and help to preserve the bouquet while it is still vibrant and fresh.

Flowers are a vital part of your wedding celebration.  Whether you choose one of the many Utah wedding venues that require the use of their in-house florist or use one of Western Garden’s two wedding reception venues in Utah where you can choose your florist or do it yourself, take heed to these 10 tips to have your flowers be the final accent to your beautiful celebration.

***J&S Wedding 133 credit SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC Codymoffat-040414--8 View More: http://ravenbergphotography.pass.us/allieandsteve View More: http://ravenbergphotography.pass.us/allieandsteve IH12 06-02 Angie & Chase 105 IH12 12-01 Warnock small resolution 27 mfkphoto-ivy-wed-20 RLT CREDIT - 50

Tuesday’s Tip – Utah Weddings Wise to Heed Mother Nature

Utah Weddings Listen to Mother Nature

Utah is known for its fickle spring and fall weather phenomenons that can change hour by hour.  Utah also can have very hot summers.  Knowing this, brides planning Utah weddings would be wise to listen to Mother Nature if they want to optimize their success and pleasantness for all attending their special celebration.  Heeding weather warnings and planning ahead will help avoid potential annoyances.

Weddings in Utah weather plannerMany guests have been known to leave early from hot tent gatherings or wedding venues in Utah that don’t have good air conditioning.  Bugs at certain times of the year can also pose a problem if not attended to by the hosting venue.  Spring cloud bursts always seem to catch the unprepared wedding party at Utah weddings, especially those that think they can simply use their backyard garden.  Consider wedding venues that will give you a garden feel but you don’t have to worry about getting those emergency tents or canopies from neighbors and friends, or purchase lots of umbrellas and hire lots of neighbor boys to walk your guests from their cars to your home with umbrellas.  Wedding reception centers have done it all before and can alleviate your worries and actually can be more cost effective.

Reception centers in Utah with air conditioning for guests
In the well air conditioned Ivy House, the Groom and all the guests won’t be over heated as the party rages on during the heat of the summer!

A great tip is to check out the local news weather forecast history for your area.  Utah’s local KSL has a great service where you simply submit the date for which you are planning your event and up pops the information of the chance of precipitation for your given day, the average temperatures for that day, even average hourly temperatures.  You can also check out the sunrise and sunset so you can time saying your wedding vows at that perfect photo shot moment with a sunset behind the bride and groom.  It is KSL’s “Wasatch Front Outdoor Weather Planner” found on their website.

KSL Weather Planner

So remember when planning Utah wedding receptions, listen to Mother Nature and heed her weather tendencies by planning accordingly.  Utah weddings are so much more pleasant for everyone involved when this tip is followed!

Utah wedding venues for cool as cucumber couples
The climate is just right inside Ivy House while it can be storming a spring thunder burst outside! Peace and calm inside!